Hit and Run Suspect Says He Regrets Accident

(KHNL) Honolulu police arrested a Waipahu man Thursday in connection with Tuesday's deadly hit and run in Iwilei. Traffic records indicate 21 year old Jatios Jatios was already expected in court next week on an unrelated DUI case.

The 21 year old waked out of the police cellblock Thursday afternoon. After two days on the run he turned himself into traffic investigators.

Tuesday morning 86-year old Betty Santiago was killed as she tried to cross North Nimitz Highway near K-mart. Investigators say the victim was in a crosswalk when a white Dodge Stratus slammed into her. The car then sped away.

Officers found the car at a Waipahu apartment building Tuesday night. Investigators believed all along that the registered owner of the Dodge was the man behind the wheel at the time of the crash. But he went missing.

Thursday he turned up today at police headquarters. Police arrested Jatios on suspicion of second-degree negligent homicide and failure to render aid. Jatios told News 8 he regrets the accident.

"I feel sorry about that. And I want to say I'm sorry to your family" said Jatios.

Jatios explained he had just gotten off work Tuesday and that the other cars had stopped for the vicitm. He said those cars blocked his view. He says he never saw the victim until it was too late.

He also said he panicked and took off. but as News 8 has learned this is not his first serious traffic violation. Jatios is due in court next week for allegeldy driving drunk.